It was a trivial scene, buried in the depths of distant memories.
An ordinary man stands up, making a triumphant fist pump, his face filled with joy.
Around him, there were a considerable number of spectators and a large screen displaying the game screen.
At the center of it all was me from my past life.
Yes, this was the stage of the finals of the first famous FPS game world championship.
It was a legendary night in the game, where dozens of elite teams fought for supremacy, shooting at each other, and then falling in defeat.
────Hey, that last move was a joke! At least shoot it out to the end!
────Nah, I wanted to shoot it out too. But, you know, I didn't even have to do that to win.
────Who the hell said this guy is a god? He's just running away!
────That just means you guys weren't even at a level where you could exchange shots with the champion.
Although it was just a gaming tournament, the venue for the world championship was quite large.
They rented out a fairly large event facility, with sponsor banners hanging all over the place.
A seat and a monitor were provided for all participating players, and a large monitor behind the host showed game footage.
"The decisive moment was when Team ●● flanked their opponents! A brilliant strategic victory!"
"It wasn't just luck, was it? You couldn't have chosen that route without understanding the enemy team's scouting patterns in advance."
"Cornered, Team ●● made a miraculous move to completely turn the tables! This is what makes this game so exciting!"
In that tournament, I competed alongside teammates I'd only met online.
"Now, let's give a round of applause for our new champion!"
And so, I obtained the ridiculous title of "World's Strongest."
***
"Look, the area is clear. Let's go, Gomuji."
"R-Right."
We quickly escaped from the burnt house before enemy troops could come to check on us.
On the other side of the kitchen window was a filthy alley, splattered with bloodstains everywhere.
From the looks of it, there didn't seem to be any signs of the enemy.
"…"
I was the first to step into the alley, scanned the surroundings, and then signaled Gomuji with a hand gesture to follow.
Since Gomuji is a rookie, I can't expect him to perform at an average level of an infantryman.
Although I have no experience, I think it would be better for me to do reconnaissance and clearing.
Even if we're both amateur infantrymen, it's my role as his senior.
"H-Hey, are you sure it's okay to just keep moving forward like this? I mean, are you really sure this is the right way…?"
"…Who knows."
"What?!"
Even if you tell me that, it's impossible to know our way through the city since we don't have a map.
The enemy will find us if we hesitate. We have no choice but to move quickly.
All we can do now is pray that our path doesn't lead to a dead end.
"At the very least, can we be more cautious and check if the enemy's ahead first—"
"…Shh! Stop. Enemy ahead. Hold your breath and wait a few minutes."
"…!"
Just as Gomuji grabbed his shoulder in protest, I sensed the presence of an enemy ahead.
We quickly hid in the shadows and held our breath for a few minutes.
"…"
"…"
Suddenly, a Sabbatian soldier with bloodshot eyes crossed the narrow intersection we were about to pass through.
If we'd continued straight, we'd have been spotted for sure.
"…It should be fine now. Let's move on, Gomuji."
"O-Okay. So you were keeping watch all along, huh?"
"Yes, despite how I look, I've had some training as a scout."
I wasn't taught how to use a gun, but Senior Allen occasionally gave me instructions on other reconnaissance techniques.
Needless to say, it was the usual unreasonable request from the Platoon Leader.
Senior Allen was very kind and taught me a lot of things.
Never miss any unusual sights in your field of vision, don't miss the sound of a grenade being fired or the distinctive sounds of military boots moving.
And to be always prepared for emergencies so that you can act reflexively if you notice something unusual.
"Even as a medic, you're still a proper front-line soldier, huh? I'm counting on you, Senior!"
"…Thanks."
This world isn't a game, it's reality. If you sharpen your senses, you'll have access to far more information than you would in a game.
There are many hints that cannot be expressed in a game: the scent of gunpowder wafting in the wind, the distance of the shouts around us, and the freshness of the dead soldiers.
Making the most of that and relying on my own intuition to retreat is likely the best way to escape this situation.
***
Fortunately, there were no signs of enemy troops nearby for some time afterwards.
As we slowly continued along the path, the back alley eventually led to the main street.
"…Whoa, the main road's already under control."
"It would've been easier if they were still fighting here."
It appeared that the Austin soldiers had already retreated from the main street.
The city of Marshdale has collapsed. Massive amounts of enemy soldiers are swarming down its main streets littered with corpses and flesh.
"…"
"Hey, there's no way we're getting through here. Let's go back."
Gomuji immediately suggested we take a detour.
He was right. If we ran across the main street, we'd probably end up getting shot.
It would be better to avoid the main street and advance along narrower streets where there are fewer enemy soldiers.
"What's wrong, Senior? What are you stopping for? You're not going to say we're going to make a breakthrough there, are you?"
"Hmm…"
However, we'll end up going even deeper into the alleys if we retreat and take a detour.
Naturally, this would also increase the risk of running into enemy patrols.
────Or rather, I have a feeling that if we take a detour like this, we'll just get spotted by the enemy.
"…"
"Hey, what's the holdup? We need to get back quickly."
So, what should we do?
In a situation where weapons and ammunition are running low, what has gotten me through so far?
In PvP, maximizing your character's performance isn't what's most important.
No matter how skilled an enemy player may be, with the most accurate aim and defensive skills from hours in the training grounds, they're not intimidating if they're missing a certain perspective.
This is the first hurdle for FPS beginners becoming advanced players. It's been a fundamental principle in "warfare" for thousands of years.
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
To win in combat, you must anticipate what the enemy wants to do.
You put yourself in their shoes, counter their movements, or use your actions to lure them into a trap.
Once players reach a certain level, these kinds of mind games occur many times during a game.
If you know an enemy is trying to flank, you can ambush them instead.
If an enemy is moving to a high position, use throwable items to surprise them.
In that game, being able to predict your enemy's movements was a hundred times more useful than improving your aim.
I'm sure it's the same in real war. As long as the opponent is human, understanding their perspective reveals a path forward.
So, what do the enemies' desire most in this urban battle?
Do they want to kill us no matter what? Do they want to plunder our territory and take whatever valuables and supplies are left behind?
────No.
If I were in the enemy's position, there's no doubt I'd think this:
"I don't want to die in a winning battle."
***
"Gomuji, before we turn back, throw a stone in an arc toward the other side of the main road. It just needs to make them mistake it for a grenade."
"Huh?"
"If we can gather the enemies near that store, there's a good chance we can scatter the ones patrolling the alley we need to pass through."
The enemy will likely put their own lives first.
If they sense even the slightest threat, they'll immediately gather and become on alert.
And they'll carefully check the surroundings for any abnormalities.
"Hey, what if that gives away our location?"
"Yes, that's why I need you to throw it in a high arc."
"They'll still figure out the general direction!"
"There was a wooden trash bin by the house next door. We can hide in there."
The enemy patrolling this area is likely not part of the assault troops.
The assault force is currently pursuing Major Renvel. Those securing the area here are probably soldiers assigned to defensive units.
The biggest difference between assault troops and defense units is whether or not they fear death.
The defense forces' job is to survive. Their job is to avoid enemy artillery fire and intercept charging enemy soldiers.
That's why they won't take unnecessary risks.
If they sense our presence, they won't just charge in without caution. …I think.
"If they realize we're nearby, they'll probably call back their patrol units to the plaza. We'll seize that brief window and sprint through the alley."
"No way, that's crazy."
"If you won't do it, I guess there's no choice. My shoulder's weak, so it might not arc, and the throw's direction will probably be obvious—"
"Hey, stop! What are you trying to do with those shaky arms of yours?! Okay, fine! I'll throw it!"
I picked up a broken brick the size of my fist that I found nearby and was surprised at how heavy it was.
I'll probably hurt my shoulder if I throw this.
"Let's use something lighter. How about an empty shell casing? That would work…"
"Yeah, let's go with that… Am I really following some crazy brat?"
Grumbling, he still managed to throw the empty casing in a perfect high arc toward the main road.
"All right, let's hide."
Before it even hit the ground, we turned and dove into the large wooden trash bin.
It was just spacious enough for two people.
I let Gomuji get in first since the bottom was lined with rotting garbage.
"Please don't touch me in any weird places."
"Like I'd want to, you brat!"
It was a fairly large wooden box, but it was quite cramped when two people got in.
Gomuji lay flat on his back, holding me as we both squeezed into the bin.
"■■■■!!"
As we huddled together, holding our breath, loud shouts echoed through the streets.
Soon, the direction of the main street grew noisy, and we could hear murmuring voices.
"Looks like they noticed the casing."
"Seems so."
Now, this is the important part.
We must wait for the moment when the enemy recalls their patrols and then run as fast as we can.
We have to slip past their guard in that brief moment of vulnerability or we're done for.
It's a long shot, but somehow I feel like there's no other way we can escape.
Hopefully the enemy will act according to plan and recall their patrol units…
"Hey. It looks like the enemy thinks we're hiding in the alley on the other side of the street."
"Oh? By the way, you can understand Sabbatian, can't you?"
"Yeah, my old man was originally from there."
According to Gomuji, the enemy had somehow misjudged our location.
I wonder how that happened.
"The casing must've bounced in a way that made them think we're hiding over there. They think an Austin soldier in the opposite alley dropped it."
"That's fortunate."
"Just as you predicted, they're calling back their patrol units. Things are looking good"
The enemy was indeed acting cautiously.
Since they don't know the size of the unit in hiding, they decide to regroup.
A few minutes later, I heard some commotion and could sense enemy soldiers pass by the front of the wooden bin.
It seemed quite a few patrol units had been hiding in the alleys.
We definitely would have been caught if we had just ran through there.
"■■■!!"
"■■!"
From the main street, there were loud orders and the sound of multiple units forming up and rushing toward the opposite alley.
Meanwhile, none of the soldiers return to the narrow alleyway we're hiding in.
"It should be safe now."
"Great, let's get out of here."
Originally, I had planned to take advantage of this opportunity while they were gathering and organizing their troops, but it seems God was favoring us.
Assuming the Sabbatian soldiers focus on patrolling the opposite alley, we should be able to move around safely.
***
"There's a fork in the road, which way do we go?"
"…Let's head left. It should be safer to go down the road where there are no fresh bodies lying around.
"No argument there."
And so, we continued down the deserted, abandoned alleyway.
Corpses and bloodstains lay scattered everywhere, with occasional whiffs of waste and the stench of blood assaulting our noses.
"Ugh… this is brutal."
"I've been wondering about this for a while now. Gomuji, have you fought on the Western Front?"
Since I was a little curious, I asked Gomuji a question.
From his attitude towards his superiors to his reaction to the corpses, he seemed more like a civilian.
It was possible he had never even seen the Western Front.
"Well, I was doing gate duty in Marshdale when I was conscripted out of nowhere. Can't believe it."
"I thought so."
Gomuji was apparently a guard in Marshdale.
Being a medic, I had a certain level of tolerance for corpses, but Gomuji's face was turning visibly pale.
To someone who had not experienced the Western Front, the sight of blood and flesh lying everywhere must have looked like a scene from hell.
Ordinarily, I might have felt the same.
But at that moment, something inside me must have broken.
"Hmm, the blood of the corpses in this area is clotted. There are also signs of rigor mortis…"
At that time, I only saw the bodies of my comrades as valuable sources of information.
A corpse that was still bleeding must have died only recently.
In other words, it is highly likely that enemy forces are nearby wherever such bodies are found.
My brain had started processing these bodies as indicators of when the enemy forces had last passed through this area.
"…Oh! This is bad; enemies are running down this alley toward us."
"Wh-What should we do? There's no place to hide here!"
"Let's pretend to be dead. Here, I'll stick some fallen flesh on your back."
"Uh, oh, okay, got it."
And having so many corpses lying around would provide a good cover for us.
In an emergency situation where there's nowhere to hide, pretending to be dead can be quite effective.
Though, a regular patrol unit would likely inspect the bodies. If they found us alive, they'd shoot without hesitation.
However…
"■■■!!"
"■ー!"
A group of soldiers sprinting through looked to be in a hurry.
Whether they were pursuing Austin's soldiers or had been called up, they certainly didn't have time to bother with a dead body by the roadside.
So I was sure they would ignore us. At least, that's what I thought.
"…■■■, ■■■?"
After smearing flesh and blood on Gomuji's back, I rubbed the fresh blood of a nearby corpse around my stomach and collapsed in the same position I was in after I had been shot in the stomach.
It was the same posture I was in when I was actually shot, so it should be quite realistic.
That should be the case, but…
"■■■■."
"■■■?"
Apparently, my assumptions at the time were too naive.
Two Sabbatian soldiers holding guns stopped in front of Gomuji and I, who were pretending to be dead.
"…"
My heart pounded.
I tried to disguise us as corpses, but was there anything unnatural about us?
It was then I realized I had made a fatal mistake. We were disguised as civilians.
"■■."
To begin with, it's strange that civilians are dying here.
There shouldn't be any more civilians in Marshdale.
Most of Marshdale's civilians have already fled and taken refuge in the capital.
The only people left here are Austin soldiers. There should no longer be any civilians here.
It's clearly suspicious if a dead body dressed as a civilian was found lying around.
"■■■."
One of the soldiers pointed a gun at me. I should have expected this. Even I'd be alarmed if I saw a dead body in civilian clothes while on patrol.
I'm scared. I'm terrified. I'm going to be shot. They're going to kill me.
"…"
Slowly, the two enemy soldiers approached us.
What should I do? Should I just get up and run for it?
No, I don't think I can survive doing that.
"...!"
I can't think of any other way to survive other than pretending to be dead.
So please, don't shoot me.
"■, ■■■."
I swallowed my saliva and managed to keep my composure.
As if toying with me, an enemy soldier pressed his rifle into my stomach.
"■, ■■~♪"
He lifted the hem of my dress and started laughing, delighted as he looked down at my exposed lower body.
....
"■■■!!"
Immediately afterwards, the enemy soldier who had done such a disrespectful thing was punched in the face by his fellow Sabbatian soldier.
Messing with the corpse of a civilian girl is a despicable act even for them.
His comrade was clearly furious. Since I wasn't wearing underwear, it looked like I was shot after being violated.
"…■■!"
The scummy soldier continued laughing even after being punched and then ran off.
The other soldier ran after him, fuming angrily.
"…"
"…You can get up now, Gomuji. They're gone."
"Oh, right."
That soldier lifted my skirt just because he saw me lying there in a dress.
I wish you wouldn't stop for such a trivial thing. I was so nervous that I almost lost it.
I would have come back to haunt him if they found the handgun I was hiding under my skirt for such a stupid reason.
"Still, Senior… everyone keeps checking you out today, huh?"
"…"
"Ouch!"
Annoyed by Gomuji's cheeky remark, I punched him in the gut.
The Platoon Leader would have beaten him nearly to death for that.
This is discipline, not retaliation.